Works: Volume 2

The unique style of ELP has always amazed and entertained me. I am happy it has been revived and now back in my collection.

ELP's 2nd Works release 1977's "Works 2", is a mishmash of some good original and cover tunes. We get the rockin' number "Tiger In A Spotlight", which got several spins back in the day, love Keith's piano chops here. Emerson's "When The Apple Blossoms Bloom In The Windmills Of Your Mind I'll Be Your Valentine", a nice jazz tune with some fantastic keyboard work by Keith. Carl Palmer's "Bullfrog", has kind of a King Crimson feel to it, very jazz-rock, good stuff! Greg Lake's "Brian Salad Surgery", about oral sex, who knew?! Leftover from the 1973 album, now on the album. Keith's "Barrelhouse Shake-Down", is some groovy times. The anglic "Watching Over You", Lake is in top form on this one. The orchestrated jazz feel of "So Far To Fall", excellent tune, another song about oral sex?! Scott Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag", has that hoedown feeling ELP was good at, "I Believe In Father Christmas", a Greg Lake jewel, 2nd version of this tune, but still unbelievably good, nice key's by Keith. Carl Palmer's "Close But Not Touching", a 60's type jazz number, great drumming by Carl. The Meade Lux Lewis number "Honky Tonk Train Blues",from 1927, Emerson gives this a great workout, nice wind section on this track too. And the album comes to a close on the beautiful 1925 tune by James Campbell and Reginald Connelly "Show Me The Way To Go Home", Lake makes it his own. On this 2011 Sony release, you get 3 bonus tracks, 2 New Haven Conn. tracks "Tiger In A Spotlight" and "Watching Over You", from 1977 and a live in Indiana "Show Me The Way To Go Home", from 1978. Great sound on this disc, i really enjoy "Works 2".

A hodgepodge of B-sides, new, remakes, solos and leftovers, this album shows the band at its most versatile. With little to no Hammond organ and very little Moog synth, they portray a sound ELP fans were (are) not used to. This is a group of three very talented and versatile musicians, and this record flaunts that. A great effort of group and solo material on one lp, I would call this their ‘White Album’ in their musical evolution. I won’t go track for track, but will say the BMG remaster sounds great and compares well to my original album. A great reason to buy this version is for the ‘Works’ live portion (part of the first CD and all of the second), which is a recording of the ‘Works’ live shows with orchestra, although it seems some tracks were taken from the point in the tour after the orchestra was dismissed due to money issues. Regardless the live portion sounds marvelous and shows them at the top of their performing game. This is one to add to your collection.

i was fortunate to see the fully orchestrated tour in 1977. One of the most memorable shows ever. Works 1 great. Works 2 stands the test of time as well. Nice remastering. Works Live stands out for it far exceeds the mastering of the 1978 vinyl which i still have plus the memories i have of that tour. Rest in peace Keith and Gregg. Highly recommended! How about a blu ray for video concert on dvd

Come on folks there are some great songs on this album Honky Tonk Train Blues, Maple Leaf Rag, Watching Over You, Close But Not Touching, and don't forget Show Me The Way To Go Home! My Grandma use to sing that one! Wow, this is a great album filled with great songs just different than their earlier albums. These 2017 re-mastered releases sound better than the earlier re-masters in my opinion except for the 5.1 surround sound three disc editions!

Another ELP release that now sounds better than I remember it. Not really 'must own' EL&P, but 3 or 4 tracks hereare worth the price of admission.

EXCELLENT!!! ELP performs classic songs from many different eras. If you like the groups King Crimson, YES, Pink Floyd you will love this 2nd album. Close your eyes, expand your mind and tap your feet to this one. Lots of true musicianship on this.

Five stars if you are a fan of ELP. Probably not the best starting point for the uninitiated. I bought this to replace my vinyl. It is the 2008 Andy Pearce remaster, and it sounds wonderful. I wasn't even listening that closely when I first played it when I noticed the clarity and separation of the instruments. It is light on liner notes-- only offering an extra paragraph explaining the reason for the package back in 1977 and some extra reissue details (like mastering).